News

July 5, 2017

Solarframe Partners with Mila on ADQ and Much More

SolarFrame, based in Rotherham, is one of the first fabricators to take advantage of Mila’s new initiative to create a library of test data for customers who want to be able to meet the demands of Approved Document Q in the new build market.

Mila has invested in an ongoing programme to carry out the PAS24 security testing required for ADQ on windows and doors in a range of different profile systems and with a number of different hardware combinations. This growing bank of test data is now available to be cascaded down to Mila customers like SolarFrame, giving them a simple and cost effective route to ADQ compliance.

As a Eurocell fabricator, SolarFrame is using the data generated from Mila’s successful tests on Eurocell’s LogiK profiles with hardware from Mila’s ProSecure and ProLinea ranges. As long as SolarFrame’s windows and doors match one of the specifications tested by Mila, then it can be assured that its products will fully comply.

This is a huge advantage for a company like SolarFrame which is supplying into the new build market directly and to trade customers who are working on new build projects.

It is the latest example of the long term partnership between Mila and SolarFrame which has existed since the fabricator was founded by Managing Director Steve Taylor in 2009.

Steve says he chose Mila at the outset as SolarFrame’s hardware supplier because of its proven reputation for quality, and the integrity and commitment of the team led by Richard Gyde. Eight years on, Mila continues to supply all of SolarFrame’s hardware requirements.

Steve Taylor says: “I know there are probably suppliers out there who are marginally cheaper than Mila, but for us, quality, reliability and customer service matter more than a few pence on a window handle.

“We know that Mila’s product quality is always guaranteed and that they will never let us down on supply or deliveries – our line OTIF for example, is currently 99.1%. We are a regional fabricator serving the needs of customers within a 25-30 mile radius of Rotherham. With this sort of business model, it is reputation which matters, whether that is in the retail sector where we do around 25% of our business, or in the trade sector which accounts for the rest. We simply can’t afford for our reputation to be tarnished in any way, so we always choose suppliers like Mila who we know we can rely on all the time.”

Mila’s relationship with SolarFrame goes back to Richard Gyde and Steve Taylor’s shared background in the industry, but it is now very much a team effort with Mila’s Area Sales Manager Steve Bettley, Key Account Manager Julie Holmes, and Technical Manager Strafford Cooke all playing their part in supporting the fabricator.

As well as the ADQ testing initiative, this includes introducing new products, advising on hardware do’s and don’ts and investing time learning about SolarFrame’s ongoing plans so that the products supplied keep pace with their objectives.

Richard Gyde added: “SolarFrame buys virtually 100% of its hardware from Mila, but we are never complacent about our relationship with them. We are constantly looking for ways to improve and add value to their business and our investment in PAS24 testing for ADQ is just the latest example of that.”